‘But pray ere ye wend,’ said Robin Hood;
‘Me thinketh it is good right;
It was never the manner, by dear-worth God,
A yeoman to pay for a knight.’
XXXVIII
‘I have nought in my coffers,’ said the Knight,
‘That I may proffer for shame:’
‘Little John, go look,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Nor let[738] not for no blame.’
XXXIX
‘Tell me truth,’ said Robin Hood,
‘So God have part of thee[739].’—
‘I have no more than ten shillings,
So God have part of me.’
XL
‘If thou hast no more,’ said Robin,
‘I will not one pennỳ;
And if thou need of any more,
More shall I lendè thee.
XLI
‘Go now forth, Little John,
The truthè tell thou me;
If there be no more but ten shillings,
No penny that I see.’